New Jersey requires that, for all handgun transfers the transferee possess a permit to purchase a handgun, which is valid for the acquisition of one handgun.¹ For long gun (rifle and shotgun) transfers, the transferee must possess a Firearms Purchaser Identification Card (FPIC).² One FPIC allows unlimited rifle and shotgun purchases as long as the holder remains eligible to possess the FPIC.³ Holders of a permit to purchase a handgun or an FPIC are subject to federal and state background checks.⁴

Firearm purchases from unlicensed sellers must be conducted through a federally licensed gun dealer unless the transaction is between immediate family members,⁵ law enforcement officers, or licensed firearms collectors. Some temporary transfers between private individuals are also exempt from this requirement.⁶

New Jersey prohibits any person from loaning money where the transaction is secured by any handgun, rifle or shotgun.⁷

In addition, the state prohibits any pawnbroker from selling, offering to sell, lending or giving away any weapon.⁸

For information regarding New Jersey’s age restrictions for firearm sales, see the section entitled Minimum Age to Purchase & Possess in New Jersey.

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1. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-3a, 3f, 3i; N.J. Admin. Code § 13:54-1.9(a).[↩]
2. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-3b.[↩]
3. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-3f, 3i; N.J. Admin. Code § 13:54-1.9(b).[↩]
4. See the Prohibited Purchasers Generally in New Jersey section for details.[↩]
5. “Immediate family” means a spouse, domestic partner, partner in a civil union couple, parent, stepparent, grandparent, sibling, stepsibling, child, stepchild, and grandchild, as related by blood or by law. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-3(n).[↩]
6. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:58-3.[↩]
7. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:39-11b.[↩]
8. N.J. Stat. Ann. § 2C:39-11a.[↩]